The country’s fastest kitesurfers came to Marazion, Cornwall over the Whitsun Bank Holiday weekend 25th – 26th May, to compete for the Pasty Cup sponsored by the National Marine Aquarium & organised by Pasty Adventures.

Now in its 3rd year, for 2013 the Pasty Cup is round 1 of the British Kitesurf Racing Championships which for the first time this year has two titles for both men & women-Race fleet which is for IKA registered production equipment and runs to full IKA/ISAF rules and the Open fleet which is for any board up to a max of 60cm width with any kite.

With the forecast showing a max of only 7 mph all weekend a few people were scared away and we only had 9 entries rather than the expected 20-30. Shame as it was the hottest weekend of the year so far which pulled in a fantastic sea breeze both days allowing for 8 races over the weekend. On the beach for the spectators, we had come and try kite flying sessions run by BKSA kitesurfing school Pasty Adventures along with competitions and info from our sponsors and supporters.

After a short postponement by race officer Mike Winiberg, Race 1 got under way in 10mph of wind with riders all using their biggest kites from 15-17m on the 1 mile upwind downwind course set just off Marazion beach in the shadow of St. Michaels mount making for an amazingly colourful spectacle for the thousands of people enjoying the Cornish sunshine.

In the race fleet it was Youth World Champion Olly Bridge taking the win in front of his mum Steph with Pasty in 3rd and Mogsy having a great fight with Denzil narrowly beating him into 4th place.

Race 2 got underway just as the wind backed off a little. Olly & Steph broke away from the fleet with Denzil flying and beating Pasty to 3rd. It was then in for a pasty lunch supplied by Philps.

Race 3 started in slightly more breeze making for exciting racing although the result ended the same with Olly seemingly unstoppable at the front. A mistake on the way to the start meant Denzil missed this race by dropping his kite and having to swim back to the beach.

Race 4 was much the same although Denzil was back in the mix, narrowly beating Mogsy into 4th.

In the Open fleet it was Ollie Lawrence winning all 3 of their races on his Aguera 59 ahead of Matt Causon riding a Sector 60.

As the tide came in the wind started to drop making for a perfect BBQ evening, for which we were joined by the helpers and Lark sailors from Penzance Sailing Club.

Sunday dawned with blazing sunshine and zero wind. As everyone started to set up the sea breeze started to fill in as if on cue setting up for another 4 exciting races for the Race Fleet. Results were much the same with Denzil seemingly finding more speed overnight and beating Pasty in Race 1 & 3.

Olly Bridge was again unstoppable proving why he is a force to be reckoned on the World race circuit and took the Pasty Cup for the 2nd year in a row.

In the Open class Ollie Lawrence again won both of their races to win the Cornwall Tourism trophy.

Prize giving was then held on the beach with Adventurer, Stew Edge fresh back from his recent Everest summit presenting the Open fleet prizes & the crew from the National Marine Aquarium presenting the prices for the Race Fleet. After prize giving we all then went to Penzance Sailing Club for a party with a great band.

Huge thanks to all our volunteers and members of Penzance sailing club for the loan of boats and running the racing. We couldn’t have done it without you!

See you for Round 2 of the British Kitesurf Racing Championships, The Edge Cup 15th – 16th June in Exmouth. For the 2014 Pasty Cup we are looking to include the Stand Up Paddle racing championships alongside kitesurfing, details out soon.

It is with great sadness that we lost one of my best friends and cameraman for the Pasty Cup, Jacob Cockle on Tuesday 28th May. We love you Bro and will never forget you!

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